Nintendo: The games then and now

The golden age of 16-bit gaming returns when Nintendo launched the Nintendo Classic Mini this year. The console has the original look and feel of the 90s games console, only smaller. If you can remember as far back as the 90s, you’ll remember that the traditional console used games cartridges that often got faulty and you would have to give them the odd knock, or blow dust out of them to make them work. The new Nintendo Classic Mini comes fully loaded with 21 games already built in, no cartridges. They must have been onto us with the old blow in the cartridge trick. Once we switched the new console on, and Mario sprung into 2D action, we were instantly warped back in time. We couldn’t believe how much things had changed. So we just had to compare some of the games and see how far we had come.

Super Mario Mario World 1990 - Super Mario Odyssey 2017

Super Mario World was released in 1990 for the Super Nintendo system. The storyline features Mario battling Bowser to save Princess Toadstool. The game also introduced Yoshi, a dinosaur that can eat his enemies with his tongue. It was a 2D side-scrolling platform video game. Over the years the graphics of the Mario games have gotten progressively better. In 1996 Super Mario 64 we saw our little friend in 3D for the first time. From the Nintendo 64 to the Nintendo Switch we’re used to seeing Mario shown on our screens in better quality each time. Super Mario Odyssey is the first game since the 90s where Mario bounces and jumps through a network of 2D and 3D environments that read like a collection of games past. Super Mario Odyssey is, in short, a title that takes in everything from Mario’s earliest adventures to the present – and adds more than a few new ideas of its own into the mix.

The legend of Zelda – A link to the past 1991 – The legend of Zelda: Breath of the wild 2017

If you’re a die hard Zelda fan like me, you’ll remember playing this game which was 2D and played from a birds eye view. You’ll remember roaming around the same areas slightly confused about what to do, the way I remember 5 year old me doing but being obsessed anyway. The plot was that of young Link, as he travels to Hyrule to defeat Ganon and rescue maidens related to the Sages. There have been many Zelda games from then until now and I’ve become obsessed with each one of them of course.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was one of the greatest gaming experiences I’ve had. It creates a feeling of aimless adventure with a strong purpose only made possible by the series’ 30-year history. The story is that of Link who wakes up after 100 years to a mysterious voice that guides him to defeat Ganon before he can destroy the kingdom of Hyrule. Sound familiar?

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island 1995 – Yoshi 2018

After the roaring success that Yoshi’s appearance in Super Mario had, Nintendo decided to give him his own video game in 1995, Yoshi’s Island. The storyline consists of Yoshi trying to reunite baby brothers Mario and Luigi, who has been kidnapped by Kamek. The player controls Yoshi through 48 levels while carrying baby Mario. This game has a hand-drawn aesthetic and is the first game ever to have the friendly dinosaur as the lead character.

Rumour has it that there is a new Yoshi game on the horizon. It is said to be the upcoming side-scrolling platform video game in development and scheduled to release later this year. It is said that 3D characters are moved on a 2D plane. Unlike most side-scrolling games, Yoshi allows the player to view the game from two opposite viewpoints. The game is very similar to the older Yoshi games where the player can use Yoshi’s tongue to eat enemies, turn them into eggs, and throw them into the level. We love that old trick.

Donkey Kong Country 1994 – Donkey Kong country : Tropical freeze 2014

Now contrary to popular opinion I actually think that Donkey Kong’s graphics were well ahead of their time in the 90s. The game is about Donkey Kong and his friend Diddy Kong, who are on a quest to recover Donkey Kong’s stolen banana hoard from King K. Rool and the Kremlings. This game is an unmatched classic and you would have thought they had nailed it back then and they couldn’t remake it.

If I’m spotting a trend while reviewing these games, it’s that the modern day trend is to play retro games and Nintendo is taking note. Donkey Kong country : Tropical freeze 2014 was a revival of the classic series from the Super Nintendo era. While playing the game you’re constantly reminded of things from the 90s game. As a sequel, Tropical Freeze blazes its own trail by adding two characters with useful abilities and unique ideas for challenging levels across six islands.

Their furry pelts look great on the TV or the GamePad, and some of the character models have lots of tiny details — right down to the age lines around Cranky Kong’s mouth and his perfect teeth.

If Street Fighter doesn’t have the ability to transport you back in time, I don’t know what will. Street Fighter originally started off as a classic arcade game developed by Capcom and was bought to Super Nintendo in 1992. You’ll remember the Capcom sign flash onto your screen as you excitedly sat and waited for the game to load. Each player had their own fighting style with a deep library of special moves and combinations. Ultra Street fighter II: The final challengers is an updated version of 1994’s Super Street Fighter II Turbo. Aside from the overall performance and quality of the graphics a lot is similar to that of the original game.

The latest game features two graphical styles—classic pixel art and updated high-definition art. New gameplay mechanics and modes were also introduced.

Mortal Kombat 1992 – Mortal Kombat XL 2016

This game was another game that defined my childhood and I often revert back to at family gatherings. I purposely chose to put two images of the character Sub-Zero next to one another to show how far we’ve actually come in terms of graphics. You can see the wrinkles on his face now. I’m fascinated every time I play the game (and also grossed out) at how much detail they show in comparison to their 2D , side-scrolling game back in the 90s. They will show every bone crack with X-ray vision and everything. I can’t deny that I often revert back to the 90s version though. I’m a sucker for all things retro.